July 8, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester believes the new Chief of Air Force Leo Davies will be a strong advocate for the continued development of RAAF Base East Sale.
Mr Chester has formally congratulated Air Marshall Davies on his recent appointment to the Air Force’s most senior position.
“Air Marshall Davies started his Air Force training at East Sale and understands the importance of RAAF East Sale to the Gippsland region – particularly the role it plays in pilot, navigator, air traffic control and officer training,” Mr Chester said.
“On behalf of Gippslanders, I’ve extended an invitation to join Leo on a tour of the $185 million expansion works currently underway at RAAF East Sale, at the earliest opportunity.
“Leo brings with him a wealth of experience over a distinguished career and I wish him all the best in his important role.”
Air Marshal Davies was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014 for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.
He was promoted to Air Marshal and appointed to Chief of Air Force on July 4.
Air Marshal Gavan “Leo” Davies – Biography
Air Marshal Leo Davies joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a cadet Navigator in 1979 and graduated to fly P-3B and P-3C Orion aircraft with Number 11 Squadron at Edinburgh in South Australia.
In 1987 Air Marshal Davies completed pilot training and after completing F-111 conversion course was posted in 1988 to Number 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.
In 1990, Air Marshal Davies was posted to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, to fly F-111D aircraft on exchange with the United States Air Force. On return to Australia in 1993 Air Marshal Davies was posted to Number 1 Squadron as the Operations Flight Commander followed by one year as Operations Officer at Headquarters Number 82 Wing during 1996. After a posting in 1997 and 1998 as the Executive Officer at Number 1 Squadron, Air Marshal Davies completed RAAF Command and Staff Course. In 2000, he commenced two years in Capability Systems within Defence Headquarters.
In 2002 and 2003, Air Marshal Davies’ long association with Number 1 Squadron was again rekindled when he returned as Commanding Officer and achieved 2000 hours flying the F-111. He was the Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Force during 2004, before taking up the post of Officer Commanding Number 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley, where he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for outstanding achievement.
Air Marshal Davies worked as Director Combat Capability within Air Force Headquarters in 2006 and 2007, during which he was deployed to the Middle East to work within the Combined Air Operations Centre.
In 2008 he was the Director General Capability Planning within Air Force Headquarters until 2010, when he was posted to Washington as the Air Attaché where he was awarded the United States Legion of Merit – Officer for his work. Air Marshal Davies returned from Washington in January 2012 to commence his appointment as Deputy Chief of Air Force.
He is married to Rhonda who is a Registered Nurse and they have two children; Erin who is herself a Registered Nurse (midwife) and Jacob.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with Chief of Air Force Leo Davies inside a GippsAero GA-8 Airvan in Canberra last year.
